Public back air steward who fled plane on emergency slide

The flight attendant who swore at a rude passenger over his plane's speakers before fleeing down an emergency chute said today he had been overwhelmed by the public support he had received.

Steven Slater, 39, said: "I think something about this resonated with people. The outpouring of support is very appreciated."

He snapped after being hit on the head by a suitcase in a scuffle with a passenger who refused to remain in her seat as the JetBlue Airways flight came to a stop at JFK airport in New York.

He announced: "To the f****r who told me to f**k off, it's been a good 20 years. I'm off."

Slater grabbed two bottles of beer before activating the chute and fleeing the airport. He was arrested and bailed and faces jail on charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

He was released from a Bronx police station to shouts of "you're a hero". Campaigns backing him have sprung up online. T-shirts are on sale that read "Slater is our Hero" on the front and "Got Beer?" on the back.

His lawyer Howard Turman said: "He was trying to do his best in providing safety and you have rudeness and lack of courtesy among the travelling public."

JetBlue confirmed Mr Slater had not been sacked, but "removed from his duties pending the investigation."